Album Mini-review: Cheap Trick — Bang, Zoom, Crazy…Hello
File next to: The Move, Boston, Fountains of Wayne
With Bang, Zoom, Crazy… Hello, the Rockford, Illinois, foursome Cheap Trick sticks to what they know: anthemic, melodic rock. The key elements have been in place since their self-titled 1977 debut: Robin Zander‘s powerful lead vocals, often doubled (an octave higher) by guitarist Rick Nielsen; Nielsen’s mock-heroic (yet underrated) guitar abilities; Tom Petersson‘s thunderous, eight-string bass and Bun E. Carlos‘ solid-as-rock drumming. But — 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction notwithstanding — Bun’s gone, replaced by Nielsen’s son Daxx. The difference is subtle but real, and something important has been lost. Some songs sound like rewrites: The intro to “When I Wake Up Tomorrow” echoes “Tonight It’s You.” The album offers nothing as immortal as anything they did in their early days (though “No Direction Home” comes close), but Bang, Zoom, Crazy… Hello is still a solid if unspectacular addition to the group’s catalog.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.